Do bottle-fed infants gain so rapidly? Very seldom during the first month, but after that with favorable air and circumstances, the gain is quite regular, and they may gain faster during the latter part of the first year, because the nursing baby loses weight at weaning time.
Why do they not gain so rapidly at first? Because it takes a few weeks for the stomach to become accustomed to cow's milk and until this is accomplished it is necessary that the milk be made very weak or indigestion will result.
What is a baby's average weight at birth? Seven to seven and one-half pounds.
How much should it be at different months at this average birth? At three months it should be twelve to thirteen pounds; at six months fifteen to sixteen pounds; at nine months seventeen to eighteen pounds; at one year twenty to twenty-two pounds. A healthy baby will usually double its weight at five months and at twelve months it will nearly triple its weight.
Should a healthy baby gain steadily in weight during the first year? He usually does, but not regularly in every week during the year. There are periods when most infants do not gain any weight. This is most often seen from the seventh to the tenth month and frequently occurs when the child is teething and sometimes in the very hot weather.
Is gaining regularly in weight a sure sign that the child is thriving normally? Not always, some infants' foods produce weight, but not strength nor development in other respects.
Can the regular gaining in weight guide us as much in the second year? The gain after the first year is not so continuous; interruptions occur during change of seasons, sometimes without any apparent cause.
How soon should a child hold its head up? During the fourth, and sometimes in the third month, as a rule. If the body is supported the head can be held erect.
How early does a baby notice things? During the second month he shows pleasure by smiling and will turn his head in the direction of a sound. They should be kept quiet, or their sleep will be broken.
What will it do at three months? It will recognize its nurse or mother, and will smile and "coo" when she approaches, and now for the first time the tear glands become active and the baby cries with tears. At this age when taken out he should lie out straight in a heavy folded blanket, or hair pillow, having a small thin pillow under his head; a hot water bag should be near his feet; a light woolen blanket or afghan should be put into the carriage and the baby placed upon it, then it should be carefully wrapped around him and the outer carriage robe tucked in. These wraps should be modified according to the weather. Babies should not perspire much for they will take cold readily; so the covering should not be too heavy.